Scouting report: Orioles at Rangers (AL wild card)

CaptionHow they got here: Rangers

J. Meric, Getty Images

They were supposed to be in the 2012 postseason after winning the American League each of the last two years. And they've gotten to the playoffs again in predictable fashion: By bashing the ball. No team in the majors has scored more runs than the Rangers, and only the New York Yankees have a higher slugging percentage. But they stumbled down the stretch, losing seven of nine.

They were supposed to be in the 2012 postseason after winning the American League each of the last two years. And they've gotten to the playoffs again in predictable fashion: By bashing the ball. No team in the majors has scored more runs than the Rangers, and only the New York Yankees have a higher slugging percentage. But they stumbled down the stretch, losing seven of nine. (J. Meric, Getty Images)

No one is exactly sure how it happened, but it did -- a tremendous turnaround from 69-93 in 2011 to 93-69 and the Orioles' first playoff berth in 15 years. The two major on-field reasons: The Orioles have one of the best bullpens in baseball and their offense was second in the majors in home runs. Those factors allowed the Orioles to post astounding records in one-run games (29-9) and extra innings (16-2).

No one is exactly sure how it happened, but it did -- a tremendous turnaround from 69-93 in 2011 to 93-69 and the Orioles' first playoff berth in 15 years. The two major on-field reasons: The Orioles have one of the best bullpens in baseball and their offense was second in the majors in home runs. Those factors allowed the Orioles to post astounding records in one-run games (29-9) and extra innings (16-2). (Greg Fiume, Getty Images)